DALLAS - Current Washington Capitals president
and former Dartmouth hockey player Dick Patrick '68 was honored by USA Hockey
in early September as he was named one of the two recipients of the 2012 Lester
Patrick Award, presented annually to individuals for their outstanding service
to hockey in the United States.

Monday night at the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Ceremony at the
Plaza of the Americas in Dallas, Patrick became the third member of his family
to formally receive the award.

"I am
extremely honored to receive this distinction as the Lester Patrick Trophy
holds a special meaning to my family," Patrick said back in September upon
first being notified of the honor. "In my 30 years with the Capitals, it
has been especially rewarding to watch the growth of hockey in not only the
United States, but specifically the D.C. area."

"The
volunteers deserve the credit for the growth of hockey in the U.S. Without them
we are not where we are today," Patrick said Monday night.

Having served in his current role with the Caps since the
1982-83 season, Patrick has helped the franchise to 23 playoff appearances in
his time, including a run to the 1998 Stanley Cup Final. Prior to Patrick's
arrival in the nation's capital, the team had not qualified for postseason play in
its first eight seasons of existence.

"Dick has
played an integral role not only in the growth of the Capitals organization,
but also amateur hockey in the D.C. community," Capitals owner Ted Leonsis
said. "Dick has committed himself to building a first-class organization
on and off the ice. His dedication, calm demeanor and well-reasoned approach
have been the bedrock of our franchise. If anyone embodies the qualities of
being a true builder of our sport, it is Dick."

The award, named for Patrick's grandfather, was originally
presented to the National Hockey League in 1966 and honors the memory of its
namesake, a man that spent 50 years in hockey as a player, coach and general
manager and is considered a pioneer in developing the game into what it is today.

A defenseman, Patrick played three seasons for the Big Green
in the 1960s. In 58 career games with the team, he registered four goals and 11
assists for 15 points.